Am considering purchasing one of these - it's an english/uk parker junior with a 585 nib. anyone using one? any thoughts?

First, I've just logged in and received a PM from the poster, but have chosen to answer the question here, so that others may read it.

Second, I am not sure from the word "Junior" alone that only one pen is meant; Parker may have put the imprint "Junior" on more than one pen. Let me describe my own Junior, at least.

It's a Duofold Junior with an Aerometric-style filler. I don't believe it's quite the same as the squeeze filler of the Parker 51, but it's close enough to make no substantial difference. The Aerometric Duofolds began in the early 1950s, and the Junior was one of the later additions to the line, being introduced in 1962. To judge from the date code on its nib, my pen was manufactured in 1968.

The 10 is a medium nib, possibly less broad than a medium on an English-made Parker 51 but still a generous width. My pen is a pleasantly wet writer. I enjoy writing with it. As you may already know, the number "585" refers to gold content, and is equivalent to "14 karat."

Prospective purchasers may wish to ask themselves if the pen is thick enough for them, or long enough. You can find its measurements elsewhere. If you're accustomed to vintage pens, many of which were on the average smaller than today's top-of-the-line models, then you should be well served by this Duofold Junior. On the other hand, if you have in mind something the size of a Pelikan 800 or 1000, you may find this Junior too small.

I like the pen because it reminds me of my own youth, when it was normal to write with a not-very-flashy pen. (But I did have an Eversharp Skyline, and those were visually dashing by comparison with many other pens of the time.) The Duofold Junior's gold trim is gold-filled rather than gold-plated, and I would say that all in all these pens were more solidly made than their equivalents might be today. I don't feel cast down because the pen seems unglamorous; a Waterman Edson wouldn't be my style anyway.

Oh, yes, the Parker squeeze filler seems to be my favorite, although I've made my peace with using a few c/c pens. But in all these respects your preferences may differ from mine.

Thanks very much!! Hope this helped others as well...

I have owned two of these Junior Duofolds, interestingly both were also 1968 vintage. Wonderful writers with excellent ink flow from the slightly broad medium 14k nibs. I also think this is one of the best fill systems available.

I gave one to a friend and she loves it! I sold the other because the grip section is just a bit on the thin side for me.

I too appreciate the understated aesthetics of the pen. It is unobtrusive, but a fantastic performer when it comes to putting ink on the page, and that is my definition of a good pen.

I've picked up one or two of these lately and they are excellent. Personally I prefer them to the 51 - if only they were the same size as they are also a bit on the small size for me. But the medium nibs I have are tremendously smooth writers and I can cope with the size. The aerometric-style filler is very easy to use and holds a lot of ink.